Serengetti and the Ngorongoro Crater
Hello
Well after experiencing beautiful Zanzibar the next big adventure was the one that Ive been looking forward to doing in years the Serengetti and Crater. The majority of docos you watch on tv about African safaris are set in these majestic lands.
The first point of call was the Ngorongoro (Swahili for cow bell - as they say its like one!!) Crater which is a 600km2 hole in the ground that came from a volcano thousands of years ago and inside leaves an amazing ecosystem that has all the big 5 with a large lake in the middle of it. This just blew me away, I wasnt sure what to expect from the Crater but wow all those long days on the truck were worth it when we saw it from the edge. The desent down the crater was another rocky affair but nothing could ruin the magic of the Crater. I took more photos than I could care to imagine but I dont think they would do justice, I just applaud you to come here and experience it for yourself. All of us on our safari 4WDs were awestruck by the crater, seeing lions, buffalo, wilderbeast, zebra etc. so close to you leaving in this ecosystem was mind blowing. The animals can leave (though it would be difficult) but most stay cause there are good rains with plenty of food. It was the highlight of my trip so far going into the crater. We camped on the edge of the Crater (which is 2500 m above sea level and bloody cold!!!) The $30 jacket I bought from Kmart before i left has been paid back many times over!
The next morning we headed into the Serengetti or the 'Get' as we were calling it.. Just imagine open plans low grass and an abundance of wildlife.. that is the Serengetti. It is a photographers' dream cause you can get so close to the animals. We arrived just before the migration takes place but there were signs like the wilderbeast and zebra moving in one gigantic line. The zebras have a good sense of eyesight so the wilderbeast tag along for the wild. The highlights of my time in the Serengetti where :
- the start of the migration
-seeing the leopard if it was only briefly and I missed out on a photo
-having lions so close to you, they really are the king of the jungle!
-the beautiful open plans of the Serengetti that made game spotting very easy
-Seeing everything besides the Rhino.... lets hope the Masai Mara has some rhinos..
All in all I absolutely loved the Serengetti and Ngorongoro Crater, I could spin to you for hours what it was like but I think you need to experience it yourself. (Though you will need to have a few dollars put aside cause its not cheap!! but its worth every cent)
We arrived back at the campsite in Arusha after a crazy 3 days away so a few of us let our hair down at the bar which turned a little messy! $2 shots should be outlawed! This was the last major part of the tour as the next few days we were headed for Nairobi before some of us go to the Masai Mara on a three day safari.
Hope everyone is well
Cheers
Troy
Well after experiencing beautiful Zanzibar the next big adventure was the one that Ive been looking forward to doing in years the Serengetti and Crater. The majority of docos you watch on tv about African safaris are set in these majestic lands.
The first point of call was the Ngorongoro (Swahili for cow bell - as they say its like one!!) Crater which is a 600km2 hole in the ground that came from a volcano thousands of years ago and inside leaves an amazing ecosystem that has all the big 5 with a large lake in the middle of it. This just blew me away, I wasnt sure what to expect from the Crater but wow all those long days on the truck were worth it when we saw it from the edge. The desent down the crater was another rocky affair but nothing could ruin the magic of the Crater. I took more photos than I could care to imagine but I dont think they would do justice, I just applaud you to come here and experience it for yourself. All of us on our safari 4WDs were awestruck by the crater, seeing lions, buffalo, wilderbeast, zebra etc. so close to you leaving in this ecosystem was mind blowing. The animals can leave (though it would be difficult) but most stay cause there are good rains with plenty of food. It was the highlight of my trip so far going into the crater. We camped on the edge of the Crater (which is 2500 m above sea level and bloody cold!!!) The $30 jacket I bought from Kmart before i left has been paid back many times over!
The next morning we headed into the Serengetti or the 'Get' as we were calling it.. Just imagine open plans low grass and an abundance of wildlife.. that is the Serengetti. It is a photographers' dream cause you can get so close to the animals. We arrived just before the migration takes place but there were signs like the wilderbeast and zebra moving in one gigantic line. The zebras have a good sense of eyesight so the wilderbeast tag along for the wild. The highlights of my time in the Serengetti where :
- the start of the migration
-seeing the leopard if it was only briefly and I missed out on a photo
-having lions so close to you, they really are the king of the jungle!
-the beautiful open plans of the Serengetti that made game spotting very easy
-Seeing everything besides the Rhino.... lets hope the Masai Mara has some rhinos..
All in all I absolutely loved the Serengetti and Ngorongoro Crater, I could spin to you for hours what it was like but I think you need to experience it yourself. (Though you will need to have a few dollars put aside cause its not cheap!! but its worth every cent)
We arrived back at the campsite in Arusha after a crazy 3 days away so a few of us let our hair down at the bar which turned a little messy! $2 shots should be outlawed! This was the last major part of the tour as the next few days we were headed for Nairobi before some of us go to the Masai Mara on a three day safari.
Hope everyone is well
Cheers
Troy
posted by Troy Aitken | 3:45 AM
1 Comments:
WOW Troy. Honestly, that is all I have to say! You have had SUCH an amazing experience. I must admit that I am a bit jelous of your experience. I never saw a lion. My goodness they ARE majestic... and that sunset pic. Wish I was on that adventure with you! I miss Africa and wish I could travel the continent like you are. I will have to look into it in the near future.
Take care... hope to see you in America!
Kate
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